by Ray Johnson | Apr 15, 2009 | Barbaresco, Italy, Nebbiolo, Piemonte
Sottimano, Barbaresco, Fausoni 2000 This wine has developed a beautiful sense of raisined fruit but the cork taint is absolutely horrific. Again our nemesis TCA raises its ugly head to spoil the fun. The grapes are 100% Nebbiolo from the cru Fausoni. Estate bottled by...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 31, 2009 | Chianti Rufina, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
Marchesi de Frescobaldi, Chianti Rufina, Nipozzano, Riserva DOCG 2005 The nose is toasty, charred and sweet smelling. In July ’09 the brett is starting to show itself yet still in a complexing way. In the mouth, the intense acidity of Sangiovese is tamed into a...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 31, 2009 | Italy, Montalcino, Sangiovese, Tuscany
La Rasina, Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2005 There are cherries and green herbs in the nose. In the mouth the cherries are vibrant and tart with some tannic grab. Estate bottled by Marco Mantengoli in Montalcino 13.5% $22.49 at Bottle Barn La Rasina
by Ray Johnson | Mar 31, 2009 | Barbaresco, Italy, Nebbiolo, Piemonte
Moccagatta, Barbaresco, Bric Balin 2004 There’s a classic sense of licorice in the nose burnished by the sweetness of oak. The structure is a whopper like you would expect yet the extract is there, keeping up with the structure – the wine is big and at the...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 31, 2009 | Alto Adige, Italy, Pinot Gris and Grigio, Valle Isarco
Cantina Produttori Valle Isarco, Alto Adige, Valle Isarco, Pinot Grigio DOC 2007 Stone fruits and flowers fill the glass with a sense of candy and spice – there’s something a bit reminiscent of Alsace. In the mouth there is the hallmark acidity but like in...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 20, 2009 | Barolo, Italy, Nebbiolo, Piemonte
Azelia, Barolo, Margheria 2004 In the nose there is black licorice, fresh black fruits and raisins. This highly structured wine is made to age yet the ripeness would allow you to drink it now with a dense chunk of cheese – delicious. Estate bottled di Luigi...
